SHERYL AND JON'S GRAND SLAM
Volunteers Sheryl and Jon Kimerling, chairs of the 2008 BJF Campaign.
The 2008 Birmingham Jewish Federation Campaign, chaired by volunteers Sheryl and Jon Kimerling, closed on Feb. 29, 2008. Our 5000-member Jewish community has raised $2,645,000, along with $391,000 in donor designated gifts for an overall total this year of $3,036,000. The campaign raised $280,000 more than last year's campaign, a 11.8% increase.
At the start of the campaign, Sheryl and Jon set four objectives: To surpass our initial target of $2,400,000 by Jan. 31, to raise more money in the campaign than ever before, to surpass $2,600,000 for the first time and to raise $3,000,000 overall. The campaign, we are proud to report, achieved all four -- a grand slam!
"Jon and I are very pleased and excited. Our community has been great, our volunteers have been terrific, in particular Melba Epsman, and our staff has been superb," said Sheryl. "This has been a wonderful experience and we are grateful we had the opportunity," added Jon. "We thank everyone who contributed and appreciate the tremendous support." The money raised beyond the initial $2,400,000 target will be available to the Federation to fund unmet needs and new initiatives as the year unfolds.
GRASSROOTS CAMPAIGN
This year's campaign clearly was a grassroots effort. No single gift accounted for more than 6% of the campaign. The campaign made a special -- and successful -- effort to contact Jewish community members who hadn't given previously, Birmingham corporations and foundations, and members of Birmingham's Christian community. "Our vision is for the BJF Campaign to be a Birmingham community campaign because the BJF benefits so many people throughout Birmingham and we want to give everyone the chance to be a part of this community effort," explained Sheryl.
The BJF Campaign benefits 29 agencies and programs in Birmingham, the US, Israel and around the world and is recognized as one of the most successful Federation campaigns in the country. The Kimerlings will also chair the 2009 BJF Campaign.
The following is from David Saginaw, senior director, development, United Jewish Communities. UJC is the central organization of North American Jewish Federations:
I want to congratulate the BJF on closing your campaign in record fashion. During each of the past five years, in a community that has experienced little population growth, not only have you exceeded your annual campaign goal, you have also increased your allocation to United Jewish Communities (for needs nationally, in Israel and worldwide), something that has bucked the trend. In addition, during this same period of time, you initiated "Our Next 100 years," which will secure the future of the Birmingham Jewish community.
On a personal level, I couldn't be happier for your volunteer leadership. The adage "leadership leads" is more than evident in Birmingham. Your volunteer leaders provide the shining beacon for the entire community, and your community responds. It's no coincidence that your most recent successes have been during the campaign leadership terms of volunteers Brenda and Fred Friedman and Jon and Sheryl Kimerling. I have had the pleasure of traveling with both couples during UJC's Campaign Chairs and Directors Missions and I count them on the list of volunteer leaders that are role models in our national Federation system.
The Birmingham Jewish Federation is the Jewish community's central fundraising, planning, community relations and volunteer development agency.
The Federation, through its annual campaign, provides funding for our local Jewish agencies -- including
Globally, the Federation campaign supports programs to assist Jews in Israel and throughout the world, including locations such as the former Soviet Union. In addition, the Federation is currently running an additional special appeal to assist the people of Israel in their response to the ongoing terror that continues to plague the Jewish state.
The Federation also offers
- referrals to other Jewish and secular community agencies as needed,
- multiple volunteer opportunities,
- a community wide Update email several times a week focusing on Israel and local action strategies,
- and special programs periodically for specific groups, such as Jewish college youth.
